Jose Mourinho may like to see more of the dark arts from Man United’s players

But the nickname ‘Red Devils’ goes back decades and traces its roots to a whole different sport.

Why are Manchester United called the Red Devils?

Manchester City fans always say United supporters aren’t really from Manchester, and the origin of the club’s nickname would certainly bring a smile to the faces of the city’s blue half.

Salford’s dominant rugby league team earned the nickname Red Devils during a tour of France in 1934, when they were so dazzling and ruthless that a French journalist labelled them ‘Les Diables Rouges‘.

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United’s early nickname was ‘The Heathens’ due to the fact they came from Newton Heath and were the first ever team to play on Sunday.

But they eventually decided that Salford’s nickname effectively meant the same thing and sounded more intimidating.

When did the nickname start?

In the early 1960s, Sir Matt Busby decided he preferred the name ‘Red Devils’ to either ‘Heathens’ or ‘Busby Babes’, as his young squad were also known.

The rest, as they say, is history. In 1970, the devil joined the traditional ship on the club’s badge.

‘Fred the Red’, a man in a devil costume, was also made the official United mascot.